Babel Novel
Chapter 4
Then, there was another comment from Jordan’s friend, Dr. Green. [Sometimes, fate just arrives late. If there’s a chance for you two, I wish you the best.]
I couldn’t help but laugh at their dramatic display.
Was this what it meant? I was the one cast aside while the mistress and the cheater got off scot–free. Did I, the legitimate partner, have to take the blame?
I knew Dr. Green well. He’d often covered for Jordan with excuses about surgeries.
Clearly, he’d known about Jordan and Qiana for a while.
If this had happened before, I might have immediately confronted him.
Or even more dramatically, I might have tracked them down to give them a piece of my mind, forcing them to cut ties. But now, it all seemed trivial to me.
I even felt a bit playful and commented on that post. [Why don’t I just make it easier for you?]
I was pretty pleased with my little stunt, but soon enough, I saw that the post had disappeared.
They really couldn’t handle a little playful banter.
I didn’t have much time to dwell on them, though. My boss had some big news: our project had been such a success that I was being promoted and given a raise. The only catch? I’d have to move to headquarters.
The headquarters was in Chicago.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Without a second thought, I signed the papers. It was a coveted position that many people would kill for.
Even though it was a lateral move, it was a huge opportunity, and the base salary was going to be significantly higher.
My boss gave me a reassuring pat on the back. “Make sure you give it your all once you’re there. We’ve been thinking about recommending you for a while, but with your pregnancy and family commitments, we hesitated. Now that things have settled, we’re excited for you to take this on.”
“Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
That night, I was in a generous mood and treated our department to a big celebratory dinner.
Of course, fate had other plans. I spotted Jordan and Qiana in the next room over.
When Jordan and Qiana saw me, their surprise was palpable. Qiana quickly explained, “Caroline, Dr. Miller and I are just grabbing a quick bite. We’ve been busy with surgeries and haven’t had a chance to eat.”
“Who reserves a table for a ‘quick bite‘? And for couples, no less. Some people are so shameless,” said my friend from work.
She knew about my miscarriage and Qiana’s role in things, so to her, this was a classic case of betrayal.
Qiana’s face went white. She bit her lip and said to Jordan, “Dr. Miller, I told you this wasn’t a good idea. You insisted on the ‘couples‘ deal, and now look what’s happened.”
I noticed her slightly rounded belly and asked, “I heard you’re pregnant. Why isn’t your boyfriend here?”
I was genuinely curious. Given her situation, I wondered how her family could be okay with this.
That question seemed to set her off. Qiana suddenly shouted, “Caroline, I know you don’t like me being close to Dr. Miller, but I’m a pregnant single mother. What am I supposed to do? He’s just helping because my health is at risk. I’ve apologized for any misunderstandings, but do you have to push me to the edge? Aren’t you also pregnant? Why are you being so nasty?”
She was crying hysterically, and people around us started whispering and pointing.
As usual, the underdog seemed to be in the right. I looked at her and said, “I’m further along in my pregnancy than you, but why don’t I show? Because I miscarried during that snowstorm, while this Dr. Miller, my husband, was with you for your check–up. You had La routine unstable pregnancy, but I had a miscarriage. Qiana, how dare you question me?”
Jordan was about to defend Qiana but was cut off.
He stared at me, stunned, and asked, “Caroline, you said… you had a miscarriage? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Seeing the look of pain on his face, I felt a surge of disgust. I replied coolly, “I did tell you. You just didn’t believe me.”
Jordan looked at me in disbelief. “I didn’t know. I thought…”
“You thought I was lying, right? You thought I was just making a scene. But when did I ever give you a reason to doubt me so much?”
Seeing his guilty expression, I realized there was no point in saying more.
uut pelieve me.”
much?”
uynt I was lying, right? You thought I was just making a scene. But when did I ever give you a reason to doubt me so
Seeing his guilty expression, I realized there was no point in saying more.
I turned to him and said coldly, “Let’s get a divorce, Jordan.”